WSET D3 - South of France Flashcards
What administrative region does Languedoc-Roussillon belong to? How is it treated in 2 parts?
Occitanie.
Languedoc: Départements of Aude, Hérault and Gard.
Roussillon: département of Pyrénées-Orientales.
How many hactares are Languedoc-Roussillon planted under vine?
240,000 hectares.
(220,000 of these are in Languedoc)
What is the common factor between Languedoc, Roussillon and Provence?
Low yields for AOC wines, due to low rainfall and warm, windy climate ( high rates evapotranspiration)
What is the climate in Languedoc?
Mediterranean. High sunshine, rainfall below 600mm, very warm summers (very favourable of grape growing .
Mainly located on a low-lying alluvial plain, though recently more ambitious growers reclaiming vineyards on hillside slopes with intention of creating high quality wines.
What wines are produced most in Languedoc?
IGP wines, especially those produced form, and labelled as, single varieties.
What has caused grape growing and winemaking become important drivers of the region’s economy ?
Building of Canal du Midi (connecting it to Bordeaux in late 17th century) and of railways (mid 19th century), enabling wines efficiently transported to export markets and Paris.
What is the wind that affected the region’s climate?
Cool, dry Tramontane north-west wind blows for 200 days per year mean there is low disease pressure from fungal diseases, thus reducing need for spraying and constant cost.
Also enabled growth of certified organic wine production.
What are the top varieties in Languedoc?
Carignan, Syrah, Grenache Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut.
Describe Carignan.
Buds late (avoid spring frost)
Ripens late (needs warm climate with long ripening season)
High yields (need to be reduced to produce high concentration wines, happens naturally when vines become old)
Powdery mildew and grape moths.
Not suitable for mechanical harvesting as bunches firmly attached to vine.
Amount planted reduced significantly due to EU vine pull scheme and is being replaced in Languedoc with other varieties.
High acidity and tannins. (winemakers often seek to soften these by carbonic maceration or blending with other varieties)
Majority: unoaked, M ruby with simple blackberry fruit, high acidity and tannins, acceptable to good and inexpensive.
Minority: Very good to outstanding have intense black fruit with spice and earthy notes and can attract premium and super-premium prices.
What training and trellising system are most used here?
Bush vines. (well adapted to climate, providing some shade to bunches, most work has to be done by hand, expensive)
New vineyards planted with trellises, enabling high degree mechanisation, reducing cost.
How is the harvest taking place?
IGP wines tend to be machine harvested, but AOC wines may also be machine harvested where topography allows.
How is winemaking carried out for different wines made here?
Inexpensive wines: Large concrete or stainless-steel tanks and using cultured yeasts.
Reds: Crushing and fermenting on skins for 5-7 days, mid-range temperatures (preserve primary) then stored for few months in stainless steel or concrete tanks. Early drinking, M tannins, will hold for 2-3 yrs.
Carbonic maceration commonly used with tannic varieties such as Carignan (to mitigate tannin and add colour), mostly for early drinking with some high quality and ageable examples, particularly with Carignan and Syrah (eg: Château La Voulte Gasparets)
High quality, small production wines: sorting tables, warm fermentation, more ambient yeast used and maturation in barriques or tonneaux (900l).
Also experimentation with concrete tanks and eggs and large format oak vats.
Summarise IGP wines in Languedoc.
70% in Languedoc.
Max 90hl/ha for whites and reds, 100hl/ha for rosé. 58 varieties may used.
3 forms IGP can overlap:
1. Regional, eg: IGP Pays d’Oc, whole Languedoc-Roussillon region
2. Departmental, eg: IGP Gard, Gard being a French administrative départment
3. A smaller unit named after a historical or geographical feature, eg: IGP Côte de Thongue
Summarise IGP Pays d’Oc.
Biggest producer IGP wine in France.
Typically fresh, fruity expression of variety being used with little or no oak for maturing wine. Good to very good and inexpensive to mid-priced.
Top 4 and mainly used for single variety wines are Merlot, CS, Chardonnay and Syrah.
Top 3 export markets: Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
What are some general appellation requirements ?
- Languedoc AOCs for reds require min 2 varieties including 1 or more principal varieties.
- All AOC wines are genuinely blends.
- AOC may also set min and max amounts for single variety or combinations of varieties.
- Besides Cabardès AOC and Malepère AOC, all Languedoc appellations require use of Grenache Noir in blend and most require Syrah and Mourvèdre. (these 3 are principal varieties in many appellations)
- In Corbières AOC and Fitou AOC, Carignan is principal variety and in nearly all other appellation is an option.
- Rules of sub-zones can be different to parent appellation.
- Different percentages can be set for varieties in vineyards and final wine.
- Each AOC sets max yields, some sub-zones limit yield.
What are the requirements for Languedoc AOC?
- Principal varieties: Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
- Min 2 varieties must used with at least 1 principal variety. (not exceeding 80% blend)
- Principal varieties must make up min 40% blend.
- Other varieties (Cinsaut, Carignan and other local varieties) may not make up more than 30% blend.
In terms of style, quality and price, the red wines of languedoc can be grouped as which 3 categories?
- Regional appellation (Languedoc AOC) - M simple, blackberry and red plum with M tannins, acidity, alcohol and body. Acceptable to good, inexpensive to mid-Priced.
2.Named appellation (eg:Corbières AOC) - M to M + blackberry, red plum, with herb (lavender, rosemary), M tannins, M to M + acidity, M to high alcohol and M + to full body. Minority have oak aromas.
Good to very good, some outstanding examples, mid-priced, some premium examples. - Sub-appellation (eg: Corbières-Boutenac AOC) M + to pronounced aromas and flavours and M + tannins. Very good, some outstanding examples, mostly mid-priced with some premium examples.
Summarise Corbières AOC.
Hilly, over 10,000 ha.
2 key mountain ranges (Tauch and D’Alaric) provide sites for vineyards on slopes up to 450m. Cooling influence of altitude and cold northern winds helps retain acidity.
90% is reds. At least 40% final wine must be any of principal varieties (Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah), with other permitted varieties including Cinsaut (maximum 20%). Max 50hl/ha.
Sub-appellation Corbières-Boutenac AOC requires Carignan, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre make up 70% blend.
Corbières AOC predominantly sold in France (70%), through supermarkets. Main export markets : China, Germany and Belgium.
Whites made from varieties such as: Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne or Rolle (Vermentino).
Summarise Minervois AOC.
Extensive appellation with range of climatic zones based on altitude and proximity to Mediterranean Sea.
Most red and rosé are Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre blends. Together plus Carignan and Cinsaut must be 50% final blend with no one variety exceeding 80%.
Summarise Minervois La livinière AOC.
Red only. Situated on limestone terrace or gentle slope up to 400m, giving very good drainage, exposure to sun and some cooling influence from altitude, wines have higher acidity than lower, warmer parts Minervois AOC.
Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache Noir at least 40% plus Carignan and Cinsaut, must at least 80% blend.
Summarise Saint-Chinian AOC.
Large appellation, mainly red and rosé from blends of Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre (min 50% in blend)
2 areas within appellation:
* Northern zone with arid, fast-draining schist, resulting low yields (higher concentration). 2 sub-zones, Saint-Chinian Roquebrun AOC and Saint-Chinian Berlou AOC.
- Southern area where soils are clay and limestone, greater water-holding capacity, (higher yields of less concentrated wines).
Summarise Fitou AOC.
First AOC in Languedoc, formed in 1948.
Coastal area relatively flat, low-lying plains, with clay and limestone soils have good water retention.
Inland area more mountainous, less fertile and fast-draining schistous soils, higher flavour concentration.
Focus on traditional varieties Carignan (must 10-40% blend) and Grenache Noir (min 20%).
Largest producer - Mont Tauch co-operative.
